Bears Set for 2007 Season

Aug 09, 2007

Aug. 9, 2007

Brown field hockey will begin a new era this year with long-time assistant coach Tara Harrington '94 entering her first season as the head coach of the field hockey program. Having won Ivy League Titles as both a player (1991) and an assistant coach (1999), Harrington knows what it takes to be successful at this level. With a coaching staff that has combined experience at some of the highest levels, Harrington and her staff will undoubtedly have the team ready to take the field when the Bears open the 2007 season on September 1st at Vermont.

With the bulk of the starters from the 2006 season returning this year, including both the Ivy League's leading goal scorer in senior Andrea Posa (Weston, MA) and the Ivy League's leading goalie by (goals against average and shutouts) in senior Kristen Hodavance (Emmaus, PA), and a talented crop of newcomers, the Bears expect to challenge for a finish at or near the top of the Ivy League standings.

ForwardReturning 6; Lost 1; Newcomers 3
Headlining the returning forwards are Posa and senior Sandhya Dhir (Agoura Hills, CA), who both came into their own last year as legitimate scoring threats. The duo started all 16 games up front in 2006 and finished with 27 points (13g, 1a) between them. A Second Team All-Ivy and Second Team All-Region selection, Posa led both Brown and the Ivy League with nine goals (3 gwg) last season, finishing second on the team with 18 points, fifth in the Ivy League. Dhir ranked fourth on the team in scoring last year with nine points (4g, 1a), while leading the Bears with 57 shots, second in the Ivy League.

Sophomores Abby Hein (Greenwood Village, CO), Nora Malgieri (Gates Mills, OH), and Madison Miketa (Durham, NC), and junior Tess Standa (Lake Bluff, IL) will compete for more time on the field this year. Hein played in eight games last year and picked up an assist in Brown's win over Lehigh. Malgieri appeared in 12 games last year, earning two starts, while Miketa played in seven games as a rookie. Standa appeared in seven games as a rookie in 2005. Newcomers Remy Dikeou (Denver, CO), Cassie Puhalla (Forty Fort, PA), and Tacy Zysk (Walpole, MA) join the Bears this fall and will look to make an immediate impact.

MidfieldReturning 5; Lost 2; Newcomers 3
Senior Ani Kazarian (Providence, RI) and junior Sara Eaton (Arlington, VA) both return to help anchor the midfield this season. They have been regular starters since their respective freshman seasons, playing in every game so far during their careers. Both have also been All-Ivy honorees in the past with Eaton earning Honorable Mention All-Ivy in 2005 and Kazarian earning the honor last season. Kazarian and Eaton both finished the 2006 season with three points and they will both look to produce more offense this year.

Sophomores Jackie Connard (Pipersville, PA), Whitney Knowlton (Columbus, OH), and Michaela Seigo (Annandale, VA) also return to the midfield this season and will all look to contribute on a more regular basis. Connard was the recipient of the team Outstanding Rookie Award last season, while playing in eight games. Knowlton and Seigo each played in six games, adjusting to the collegiate game, but will look for more playing time after a successful spring season.

BackReturning 4; Lost 1; Newcomers 0
Senior Katie Auriemma (Medford, NJ) and junior Victoria Sacco (Madison, NJ) return to lead the backfield this season, having both earned regular starting roles for the first time in their careers last year. The duo started all 16 games in 2006 and helped the Bears post the least amount of goals against (25) in the Ivy League. Sacco was also productive at the other end of the field as part of Brown's offensive corner unit, racking up seven points (2g, 3a), including the game-winning goal against Dartmouth. Juniors Ann LeClerc (Acton, MA) and Natalie Harrington (Locust Valley, NY) also return to the lineup and will compete for more playing time this season. The Bears' backfield may also utilize the services of several midfielders with the ability to contribute defensively, including Connard, Eaton, Knowlton, and Seigo.

GoalReturning 1; Lost 1; Newcomers 1
The Bears are strong and experienced in goal with the return of senior Kristen Hodavance (Emmaus, PA), who played every minute of every game last season en route to Honorable Mention All-Ivy honors. She led the Ivy League with a 1.53 goals against average and was the League leader with four shutouts, earning the four against Dartmouth, Harvard, Fairfield, and Columbia. She also posted a .771 save percentage, which was fourth in the League. Newcomer Lauren Kessler (Burtonsville, MD) should challenge for time in net immediately.